This chapter is from the book

Differences in Windows Versions—This section teaches you how to differentiate between Windows Vista and XP. The graphical user interfaces (GUI) are different as well as the hardware requirements necessary to run each operating system. This section also covers how to make older programs run properly in newer versions of Windows.

Windows Interfaces—This section talks about the tools you will use to interface with Windows such as Windows Explorer, Computer/My Computer, Control Panel, Command Prompt, Network/My Network Places, as well as the Start menu, taskbar, and System Tray.

Essential Operating System Files—Both Windows Vista and XP need several files to boot and run the system; this section describes those files in detail.

Disk Partition, File and Folder Management—In this section you learn about the different types of partitions (primary, extended, and so on), and how to work with, and back up, files and folders effectively.

Command-Line Functions—Every technician needs to know how to use the command-line, especially the Windows Command Prompt. This section shows how to open and use the Command Prompt and how to work with commands.

System Management Tools—Keeping the system well managed is important. This section covers tools such as Device Manager, Task Manager, Registry Editor (Regedit), and System Restore, which help to administer a sparkling Windows operating system.

Optimizing Windows—Making Windows be all it can be is no small task; this section delves into virtual memory, services, applications, temporary files, and how to optimize Windows at startup.

This chapter covers a portion of the CompTIA A+ 220-701 objectives 3.2 and 3.3 and CompTIA A+ 220-702 objectives 2.2 and 2.3.

Until now, we have focused on hardware and sprinkled in little bits of software here and there. That's about to change. This chapter goes into depth concerning the fundamentals of Windows Vista and Windows XP. When you are done with this chapter, you might even want to read it again because there is so much information packed in it. And if you can pass the "Do I Know This Already" quiz, then our hats are off to you.

There is a slight amount of Windows 2000 in this chapter as well (because it is covered on the CompTIA objectives); however most of the concepts and techniques used in Windows 2000 work the same way in Windows XP. Unless Windows 2000 is specifically mentioned, you can safely assume that any time XP is described, the concept is the same for Windows 2000.

You might ask why there is so much Windows XP content within this chapter, as well as on the CompTIA A+ objectives. Well, even though XP is currently eight years old, there are still a slew of companies using it. Consequently it is very important to know for the exam. Windows Vista is currently the newest operating system that CompTIA includes on the A+ exam.

Note that you will sometimes see references to Windows Vista's "Computer" and Windows XP's equivalent "My Computer" within the same sentence. Sometimes this will be written as Computer/My Computer, or My Computer/Computer. The same holds true for other Windows interfaces that have undergone name changes with the advent of Windows Vista.

There is a lot of content to cover in this chapter; So, without further ado, let's demonstrate how to use and manage Windows!

"Do I Know This Already?" Quiz

The "Do I Know This Already?" quiz allows you to assess whether you should read this entire chapter or simply jump to the "Exam Preparation Tasks" section for review. If you are in doubt, read the entire chapter. Table 13-1 outlines the major headings in this chapter and the corresponding "Do I Know This Already?" quiz questions. You can find the answers in Appendix A, "Answers to the 'Do I Know This Already?' Quizzes and Troubleshooting Scenarios."

Which of the following technologies is the graphical user interface used by default in Windows Vista?

Windows PowerGUI

Windows Aero

Windows GUI version II

Windows Powershell

You are the PC technician for your company. You are upgrading your computers to Windows Vista. There are certain users who have older applications. What tool can you use to make the application run under the newer operating system?

XP Mode

You cannot do this

Program Compatibility Wizard

Install the application in a virtual machine

Which of the following is a central database for Windows, applications, and user settings that should be backed up on a regular basis?

The Hardware Layer

The Registry

Windows Machine Database

The Windows Hives

You are working on a computer. You receive a message about virtual memory being low on resources. What is virtual memory?

Physical memory sticks on the motherboard

Memory that only runs in a virtual environment

Your system memory and virtual memory are the same

Your system memory has borrowed some hard disk space

Which of the following is a file management utility that is used on Windows-based operating systems?

Windows Explorer

File Manager

Server Manager

Internet Explorer

You are working on your Windows XP desktop computer. You need to modify your network settings. Which of the following will you use to modify this?

My Computer

Network Spot

My Network Places

My Network Manager

Which of the following files are required to boot the Windows Vista operating system? (Choose all that apply.)

Bootmgr

BCD

Hall.dll

Ntoskrnl.exe

Boot.ini

Which of the following files is a specially formatted text file that configures the startup process for the Windows XP operating system?

NTDETECT.com

BOOT.ini

NTLDR

Ntoskrnl.exe

You have just been given a new hard drive to install in a client's computer to be installed with a new Windows operating system. What processes must you go through while you install the operating system on the drive? (Choose two.)

Create a new partition

Nothing, the drive is ready to go

Format the drive

Install the drive utility

You are doing some phone support for your company. A user calls up and says he is not able to get out to network resources. You need him to run the ipconfig utility to check for a valid IP address. How would you tell the user to pull up the command prompt? (Choose all that apply.)

Start, Run and type command

Start, Run and type cmd

Start, Run and type com

Start > Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt icon

Which of the following parameters (switches) will copy all files, folders, and subfolders, including empty subfolders, to the TEST folder?

xcopy *.* c:\test /T

xcopy *.* c:\test /S

xcopy *.* c:\test /E

xcopy *.* c:\test \T

You are providing some phone support for your clients. They are telling you that the video seems to be showing poorly. You need to see if there is a problem with the video card. Where would you instruct them to go to view this information?

Display Properties

The screensaver tab

Device Manager

MSCONFIG

You are contacted by a client that is having problems because her computer is running very slowly. You need to run a utility to see if the system needs to have more memory installed. Which of the following utilities should you use?

Performance Monitor

System Performance wizard

Memory Tasks wizard

System Configuration Utility

What is the minimum processor requirement for Windows Vista?

133 MHz

233 MHz

800 MHz

1 GHz

What is the minimum RAM requirement for Windows Vista?

64 MB

256 MB

512 MB

1024 MB

A user wants to modify his network connection from the Windows Vista Network window. Which of the following options will allow the user to do this?